Neath actress Samira Mohamed Ali was picked to star in a new Brit-flick, Molly Crows, which has its Welsh premiere in Port Talbot next week

Cardiff based actress Samira Mohamed Ali stars in a new film Molly Crows

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Samira Mohamed Ali knew she’d made an impact in the horror genre when her mum started asking her to play less morbid film roles!

But success in the horror business for Samira has not stopped the 28-year-old from taking the Bollywood scene by storm too.

With parents from Dubai and Portuguese, plus a thick Welsh accent, Samira is an intriguing home-grown talent – which is why she was picked to star in a new Brit-flick, Molly Crows, which has its Welsh premiere in Port Talbot next week.

Samira, currently working on a new Bollywood film, said: “In the film I play the alcoholic mother of Jess, the little girl who connects with the spirit of the witch, Molly Crows.

“The film is based on stories still talked about in the area where it was filmed, which was Stoke-on-Trent.

“My daughter in the film is getting horrendously bullied in school, but then she taps into a something she didn’t realise she had and that’s when she connects with Molly.”

The film has already won accolades at the Portbello Film Festival, scooping the award for best film. The film also stars seven-year-old newcomer Mercy Gaiger alongside This Is England/Dead Man’s Shoes actor Newton.

A scene from the film Molly Crows starring Cardiff based actress Samira Mohamed Ali

Samira reveals she got the call to star in Molly Crows when she was in Romania filming another horror, Spiritual Phantoma. It was her work on this film, made deep in the woods of Transylvania, that toughened her up against the horror stories she was making.

“I got hung from a tree at 4am in the middle of a Romanian wood, so I don’t think I’ll get scared after that!

“My mum asked me to please have a nice role for once! I don’t know why I’m so drawn to these horror roles, they are completely the opposite to my personality, I’m so bubbly and happy!

“Perhaps that’s why, I enjoy playing them, because they are so different to me.”

Having the Molly Crows premiere in Wales was something that Samira, 28, felt was important.

Molly Crows starring Cardiff based actress Samira Mohamed Ali

The event will raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance and the Better Life Appeal – a cause very close to Samira’s heart.

She explained: “My best friend was a big part of this charity. She spent a lot of time at Llandough hospital and it was like a second home to me as I would spend time with her. She had cystic fibrosis, it’s really important to me that we raise money for this charity.”

The former Cwrt Sart Comprehensive School pupil is currently rehearsing for her next movie, Bollywood film, Badshah and has three other projects which she has to keep under wraps. Though she’s never received any formal acting training, Samira feels this gives her an edge when tackling roles.

She said: “I wanted to be a television presenter but I had the oppportunity to go for an acting audition for the Bollywood film, they flew me to India! I thought I’d only have a small part but I ended up with the lead role.”

The Welsh premiere of Molly Crows will be on Monday, October 28 at the Reel Cinema at Hollywood Park in Port Talbot.